We also encourage you to visit HBR s HBR Insight Center American Competitiveness site where resources commentary and solutions are showcased. Harvard Business School s US Competitiveness Project is another must visit site to better understand the complex problems facing the US. One good way to observe a culture may be to venture outside and see it from the perspective of smart people looking in.
When it comes to understanding the state of American competitiveness I often find that the sharpest insights come from the individuals I meet when I travel abroad. On a recent trip to China what struck me most was the confidence its citizens have in their government—a distinct Brazil Phone Number List contrast to the current sentiment in the United States. Almost all the Chinese executives I met believe that their nation s leaders possess the foresight and the courage to think long term. These executives are not Pollyannas They recognize the existence of asset bubbles in parts of their economy and they realize that the fevered output they ve enjoyed is likely to slow.
They understand the need to increase domestic consumption and imports to offset strong exports. But they see these challenges as surmountable. faith in their government s sustained commitment to keeping China s economy in good health. This allows them to invest with confidence. The Chinese care about China of course but they are rooting for America as well. Indeed the Brazilians the Indians and the majority of others I have met outside the US are also rallying for us. They understand that the world is interdependent and that the US economy is still too large for anyone to profit from a rapid decline in its well being.